James Dempsey
@jamesdempseyauthor.bsky.social
I write Fantasy, sometimes Sci-Fi. Husband, and father of two girls. Living in Edinburgh. Some time academic philosopher and corporate ethics consultant. BHAFC fan.
May 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Today's subject - #substack. I started an account (and posted words!) as you'll see below. Can I get any interaction? No. For something that is meant to be about community and long form it seems remarkably superficial. Advice please!!
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
April 24, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Today's subject - #substack. I started an account (and posted words!) as you'll see below. Can I get any interaction? No. For something that is meant to be about community and long form it seems remarkably superficial. Advice please!!
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
Every person you let into your life takes away a part of your soul. Occasionally you get it back; mostly it is consumed, feeding the beast we raise and nurture, spiritual forerunner of the Alsatians that will eat our flesh when we die alone.
#booksky
#amwriting
open.substack.com/pub/anxiousg...
#booksky
#amwriting
open.substack.com/pub/anxiousg...
April 9, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Every person you let into your life takes away a part of your soul. Occasionally you get it back; mostly it is consumed, feeding the beast we raise and nurture, spiritual forerunner of the Alsatians that will eat our flesh when we die alone.
#booksky
#amwriting
open.substack.com/pub/anxiousg...
#booksky
#amwriting
open.substack.com/pub/anxiousg...
'Fear is the mind killer.
The room bends. The part of my brain that makes sense of dimensions is broken and it feels like I’m disappearing, spinning Alice-like, down a dark hole.'
#booksky
#writingcommunity
#mentalhealth
Anxious Book Club anxiousguy.substack.com?r=5h0u1z&utm...
The room bends. The part of my brain that makes sense of dimensions is broken and it feels like I’m disappearing, spinning Alice-like, down a dark hole.'
#booksky
#writingcommunity
#mentalhealth
Anxious Book Club anxiousguy.substack.com?r=5h0u1z&utm...
Anxious Book Club | James Dempsey | Substack
Books and mental health. Fantasy and other fiction. Musings on writing and life and all that shit. Click to read Anxious Book Club, by James Dempsey, a Substack publication. Launched 6 hours ago.
anxiousguy.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 7:07 PM
'Fear is the mind killer.
The room bends. The part of my brain that makes sense of dimensions is broken and it feels like I’m disappearing, spinning Alice-like, down a dark hole.'
#booksky
#writingcommunity
#mentalhealth
Anxious Book Club anxiousguy.substack.com?r=5h0u1z&utm...
The room bends. The part of my brain that makes sense of dimensions is broken and it feels like I’m disappearing, spinning Alice-like, down a dark hole.'
#booksky
#writingcommunity
#mentalhealth
Anxious Book Club anxiousguy.substack.com?r=5h0u1z&utm...
So I started a Substack, something I've been on the verge of doing for a while. So get on over if you like books and writing and mental health (you know what I mean).
open.substack.com/pub/anxiousg...
#booksky
#mentalhealth
#writingcommunity
open.substack.com/pub/anxiousg...
#booksky
#mentalhealth
#writingcommunity
Welcome to Anxious Book Club.
First rule of Anxious Book Club - don't worry if you talk about Anxious Book Club.
open.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 1:51 PM
So I started a Substack, something I've been on the verge of doing for a while. So get on over if you like books and writing and mental health (you know what I mean).
open.substack.com/pub/anxiousg...
#booksky
#mentalhealth
#writingcommunity
open.substack.com/pub/anxiousg...
#booksky
#mentalhealth
#writingcommunity
Sort stories for almost-summer
In the mood for some short stories? We’ve got you covered 🫡
Perfect to dip in and out of during picnics at the park or trips to the beach, we’ve selected short story collections from a range of genres that we hope will do the trick for you! 🌞
Perfect to dip in and out of during picnics at the park or trips to the beach, we’ve selected short story collections from a range of genres that we hope will do the trick for you! 🌞
April 6, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Sort stories for almost-summer
Wise editing words!
On Friday I gave the MS a thorough edit on screen and decided it was finished.
Then I transferred it to my kobo and have found probably 15 typos, 6 things to check and two dozen things to rephrase.
Always do an edit in a different medium. Print, ereader, change the font if that's all you can do.
Then I transferred it to my kobo and have found probably 15 typos, 6 things to check and two dozen things to rephrase.
Always do an edit in a different medium. Print, ereader, change the font if that's all you can do.
April 6, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Wise editing words!
Stolen from elsewhere…
April 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Stolen from elsewhere…
Reposted by James Dempsey
Hamish McHaggis. 20th anniversary
Www.HamishMcHaggis.co.uk
Www.HamishMcHaggis.co.uk
April 5, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Hamish McHaggis. 20th anniversary
Www.HamishMcHaggis.co.uk
Www.HamishMcHaggis.co.uk
Can’t recommend this book enough for advice on collecting and organising random ideas. As good for planning a story as prepping for a DnD session.
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
April 3, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Can’t recommend this book enough for advice on collecting and organising random ideas. As good for planning a story as prepping for a DnD session.
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
Reposted by James Dempsey
Humanists are non-religious people who shape their own lives in the here and now because we believe it's the only life we have. A lot of people share humanist values without even knowing the term. Maybe you're a humanist! Find out by taking our quiz! humanists.uk/humanism/how...
How humanist are you?
Take our quiz and find out. Many people are humanists without even knowing it. If you are non-religious and look to science, reason, empathy, and compassion in order to live an ethical and meaningful ...
humanists.uk
April 3, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Humanists are non-religious people who shape their own lives in the here and now because we believe it's the only life we have. A lot of people share humanist values without even knowing the term. Maybe you're a humanist! Find out by taking our quiz! humanists.uk/humanism/how...
Reposted by James Dempsey
Access to libraries and books is a fundamental human right for children, unlocking learning, creativity and empowerment.
Libraries provide safe spaces for growth, ensuring every child can reach their full potential. 👏
Libraries provide safe spaces for growth, ensuring every child can reach their full potential. 👏
Why access to libraries and books are a human right for children
We are a national charity bringing the benefits of reading and writing to everyone in Scotland.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
April 3, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Access to libraries and books is a fundamental human right for children, unlocking learning, creativity and empowerment.
Libraries provide safe spaces for growth, ensuring every child can reach their full potential. 👏
Libraries provide safe spaces for growth, ensuring every child can reach their full potential. 👏
Always love how this tower that looks like a random part of the amusements is actually one of the oldest buildings in Porty.
#Edinburgh
#Edinburgh
April 3, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Always love how this tower that looks like a random part of the amusements is actually one of the oldest buildings in Porty.
#Edinburgh
#Edinburgh
Please consider signing @societyofauthors.bsky.social petition to the UK government to hold Meta accountable for its use of pirated material to train its AI: chng.it/kSr4CXmCKs
#writingcommunity
#booksky
#writingcommunity
#booksky
April 3, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Please consider signing @societyofauthors.bsky.social petition to the UK government to hold Meta accountable for its use of pirated material to train its AI: chng.it/kSr4CXmCKs
#writingcommunity
#booksky
#writingcommunity
#booksky
Very happy to have discovered this group :)
Our occasional reminder to backup your work. It takes second to copy it to that stick, or send it on Dropbox. Go! ❤️
a person wearing a mask with the words " calling for backup immediately "
ALT: a person wearing a mask with the words " calling for backup immediately "
media.tenor.com
April 1, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Very happy to have discovered this group :)
Reposted by James Dempsey
It's after 12pm, so you can be safe in knowing this ain't no April fool: Lead judge @stevenpoore.bsky.social has declared the annual short story competition OPEN! 🥳
britishfantasysociety.org/bfs-short-st...
britishfantasysociety.org/bfs-short-st...
April 1, 2025 at 12:14 PM
It's after 12pm, so you can be safe in knowing this ain't no April fool: Lead judge @stevenpoore.bsky.social has declared the annual short story competition OPEN! 🥳
britishfantasysociety.org/bfs-short-st...
britishfantasysociety.org/bfs-short-st...
Welcome @brettculbert.bsky.social, my 100th follower! Good to connect with you. I have a way to go to catch you up 😂
March 31, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Welcome @brettculbert.bsky.social, my 100th follower! Good to connect with you. I have a way to go to catch you up 😂
Reposted by James Dempsey
And don't forget—there are just THREE DAYS left to grab your Early Bird Weekend Pass at a discounted price! 🎟️
www.cymerafestival.co.uk/weekend-pass
www.cymerafestival.co.uk/weekend-pass
Weekend Pass — CYMERA
www.cymerafestival.co.uk
March 30, 2025 at 12:27 PM
And don't forget—there are just THREE DAYS left to grab your Early Bird Weekend Pass at a discounted price! 🎟️
www.cymerafestival.co.uk/weekend-pass
www.cymerafestival.co.uk/weekend-pass
AND EVERYWHERE IS IN CHAINS. Dark secrets and ancient prophecies. Assassinations and political ambushes. The truth of what was really sold in return for Savrin’s wealth.
All Mikael wanted was to escape. Now he’s the city’s last hope of salvation.
Speculative Fantasy. 94k. #scotwriterpitch2025
All Mikael wanted was to escape. Now he’s the city’s last hope of salvation.
Speculative Fantasy. 94k. #scotwriterpitch2025
March 28, 2025 at 4:32 PM
AND EVERYWHERE IS IN CHAINS. Dark secrets and ancient prophecies. Assassinations and political ambushes. The truth of what was really sold in return for Savrin’s wealth.
All Mikael wanted was to escape. Now he’s the city’s last hope of salvation.
Speculative Fantasy. 94k. #scotwriterpitch2025
All Mikael wanted was to escape. Now he’s the city’s last hope of salvation.
Speculative Fantasy. 94k. #scotwriterpitch2025
AND EVERYWHERE IS IN CHAINS. Speculative fantasy. 94k words.
Babel X City of Last Chances
The City of Savrin has sold its freedom and oppressed its minorities in exchange for wealth. Only Mikael, failing acolyte of the Temple, can decide if Savrin will be saved. #scotwriterpitch2025
Babel X City of Last Chances
The City of Savrin has sold its freedom and oppressed its minorities in exchange for wealth. Only Mikael, failing acolyte of the Temple, can decide if Savrin will be saved. #scotwriterpitch2025
March 28, 2025 at 3:08 PM
AND EVERYWHERE IS IN CHAINS. Speculative fantasy. 94k words.
Babel X City of Last Chances
The City of Savrin has sold its freedom and oppressed its minorities in exchange for wealth. Only Mikael, failing acolyte of the Temple, can decide if Savrin will be saved. #scotwriterpitch2025
Babel X City of Last Chances
The City of Savrin has sold its freedom and oppressed its minorities in exchange for wealth. Only Mikael, failing acolyte of the Temple, can decide if Savrin will be saved. #scotwriterpitch2025
AND EVERYWHERE IS IN CHAINS. A thriving city, a terrible secret. But it is Mikael, a failing acolyte of the Temple, who discovers the price of Savrin’s wealth. And as things fall apart, the hardest part of saving the city is to believe it is worth saving at all. #scotwriterpitch2025
March 28, 2025 at 11:50 AM
AND EVERYWHERE IS IN CHAINS. A thriving city, a terrible secret. But it is Mikael, a failing acolyte of the Temple, who discovers the price of Savrin’s wealth. And as things fall apart, the hardest part of saving the city is to believe it is worth saving at all. #scotwriterpitch2025
AND EVERYWHERE IS IN CHAINS. To save the city Mikael, acolyte of the Temple, must first free himself. But some things are chained for a reason. #scotwriterpitch2025
March 28, 2025 at 9:11 AM
AND EVERYWHERE IS IN CHAINS. To save the city Mikael, acolyte of the Temple, must first free himself. But some things are chained for a reason. #scotwriterpitch2025
Reposted by James Dempsey
Good luck to everyone doing #scotwriterpitch2025 tomorrow! Might be worth checking your chat settings, I think default for new messages is 'users I follow', change that to 'Everyone' so publishers/agents can get straight through to you.
March 27, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Good luck to everyone doing #scotwriterpitch2025 tomorrow! Might be worth checking your chat settings, I think default for new messages is 'users I follow', change that to 'Everyone' so publishers/agents can get straight through to you.
Reposted by James Dempsey
I made a Starter Pack of Bluesky accounts for Scotland’s publishing industry. This is a wide-ranging list covering publishers, literary agents, publishing services, and publishing, writing and other literature support agencies. Msg me to be included. go.bsky.app/3niPF4E
March 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I made a Starter Pack of Bluesky accounts for Scotland’s publishing industry. This is a wide-ranging list covering publishers, literary agents, publishing services, and publishing, writing and other literature support agencies. Msg me to be included. go.bsky.app/3niPF4E
When you’re about to put pen to paper on something new. Exhilaration and trepidation. The feeling of stepping into cold water, of meeting for a first date, of opening the door to a new adventure. Wish me luck.
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
#booksky
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
#booksky
March 26, 2025 at 9:07 AM
When you’re about to put pen to paper on something new. Exhilaration and trepidation. The feeling of stepping into cold water, of meeting for a first date, of opening the door to a new adventure. Wish me luck.
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
#booksky
#writingcommunity
#amwriting
#booksky